Language School

Right now, we are sitting in a hotel near the Charles De Gaulle Airport.  Our flight back home leaves in the morning.  I am amazed that we are here.  In someways, the last 2 months have gone by quickly; yet at other times, the moments away from our children were unbearable.

What comes to mind is the grace of God that allowed us to make through this challenging time.  What a display of the expression that "the will of God will not take you where the grace of God can not keep you". It has only been by His help that we were able to do this!

So what have we done for the last eight weeks here in language school?  Well, it is kind of hard to explain.  We had classes 4 days a week that covered vocabulary, grammar, conjugation and phonetics, written and oral expression and oral/writen comprehension.   We also had classes on Biblical French where we learned the books of the Bible in French, the names of God in French, learned how to pray in French and learned French songs. Now, were are not fluent in French....that takes years!  But we have learned so much and will continue to work with a tutor once we get to Togo to help us continue to learn.

Some days were completely overwhelming.  Other days were completely humbling.  But through it all we learned to rely on the Lord!

Today we said goodbye to some amazing people.  They are all here to learn French so that they can serve the Lord in missions.  While we know we will never see some of them again here on Earth, we know that they will go on to do great things for the Lord.  And one day, in Heaven we will all see each other again.....and not have to worry about French!!

John and his brother from another mother, Sweny from Iceland.  He and his wife Anita (from Norway) and their 2 beautiful children are going Mali, West Africa

John and some of his class mates.  His teacher Valerie (on the far right in the green sweater) was born in Benin and lived in Togo for a while.

Me and sweet Agaate, from the Netherlands.  She also is a nurse and is headed to Guinea West Africa.

My wonderful class!!  My professor, Regine (right of me in the teal sweater) was absolutely wonderful.  Somehow, she made learning French fun!  She served as a missionary in Madagascar for over 20 years and has such a love for the Lord.

I hated to say goodbye to these wonderful people, but I am so very excited to see 3 special little people tomorrow!

My Little Man is 3

I have alot of mixed emotions today. Three years ago today, the Lord blessed me and John with a beautiful baby boy. We had not found out the gender, so when the doctor said "It's a BOY!!" we were thrilled. Of course, we would have loved a third girl (and I actually thought it was going to be a girl!) but the addition of a little boy to the family was so special.

Today, we are not together. It hurts my heart to be away from him on his birthday, but I keep telling myself that this is where God wants us right now. Earlier, I was feeling a little blue so I decided to look back at some pictures of Aiden from the last 3 years. Instead of being sad for this one day that we are apart, I am thanking God for all the other amazing moments we have shared together.

John Aiden- 9lbs 1oz.  October 22, 2009

It is still hard to believe I have a son!

Sweet cheeks- 1 week old

Eliza & Olivia were instantly in love!

Sweet laughs!

Baby Jesus in the church Christmas program.  Aiden was 6 weeks old.

 1st Christmas was spent in the hospital with severe RSV.  We went home 12/26.

Easter 2010

4 Generations of Groeneveld men.  Aiden is the only great grandson so far to carry on the name.

The girls checking on Aiden first thing in the morning.

Fall 2010

Aiden turns 1!!!

Thanksgiving 2010

Christmas 2010

Disney World January 2011

Such a little man.  Spring 2011

July 4th, 2011

Aiden turns 2, October 22 2011

Thanksgiving 2011---my 3 turkeys!

Aiden loves collecting and grouping things together

Aiden and his best bud- his Daddy

Beach Trip May 2012

Summer fun at the splash pad- 2012

Rotten thing!! 

Pickle Festival 2012

Loving life at Grandma & Grandpa's, 2012

The only grandson on John's side of the family.  And another neice is due in a few months!

Always doing something outside!

We are so thankful the Lord gave us this little boy.  And believe me, he is ALL boy!!!  I think when we get back home there will be some un-spoiling to do after 2 months with the Grandparents & Auntie!!!

Oh Happy Day!!

Saturday was a big day!   It was our half way point!  We have been here 4 weeks!

Today, I got to take down September.....

...and put up October!!!

The people in the apartment below us might have heard me do a little happy dance as I changed the calendar! I can hardly wait to get my hands on these 3 little people...

We have learned alot, but still have so much still to learn. While it is a little daunting to still have 4 weeks ahead, we are trusting the Lord for grace for each day and each hurdle was must jump as we learn French. It has been incredibly humbling and frustrating, but it has given us a new sense of dependence upon the Lord!